no commander//YOU UPGRADEmag// may 3.  2001

London 
SAT MAY 5
POLICE COMMANDER WITHDRAWS FROM DEN OF ENLIGHTENMENT RAVER DEBATE AFTER BUST OF LEADING BLAIRITE PEER'S SON IN FRIDGE NIGHT CLUB
YES, folks, Commander Brian Paddick's participation in the Den Of Enlightenment debate this Saturday has been postponed in circumstances that are, to say the least, intriguing.
Last Saturday night bouncers in the Fridge, Brixton, noticed two young men "behaving suspiciously".  They were chased into the toilet, according to the Daily Mail, before being questioned and searched.  It's alleged that 50 ecstasy tablets were found on them.
So what's new, right?  Well, what's new is that the elder of the two lads, 17 year old Matthew Harris, "turned to jelly" when forced to admit that his father is… Lord Harris.
So, a lord's son, pretty normal in rave-mad Britain these days, right?  Except that Lord Harris of Haringey is one of "Tony's Cronies," appointed to… wait for it… Metropolitan Police Authority Chairman!  They're responsible for policing in the capital city of Great Britain.  He's also a member of the London Drug Policy Forum, tasked with curbing the "drug menace" in London.
But that's still not all.  66 hours passed, you see, between the time Lord Harris was contacted by Fridge staff and Scotland Yard were informed, and there is more than a suspicion in the media that it was only questioning by newspapers that brought the matter to public attention at all.

"NOT ALLOWED TO COMMENT ON DRUGS POLICY"
So what happened in this time?  Fridge staff say they phoned Lord Harris, after which it was decided that the drugs should be destroyed "in the presence of management, security and the young men." Matthew was sent home in a taxi at the club's expense because he had no money on him.
It was not until 6.40 on Monday evening that Lord Harris asked the police to investigate.  Fridge managers claim it is normal policy to remove 'small quantities" of drugs found, ban the offender, and inform his or her parents.  Police sources, however, describe the number of drugs found as "highly suspicious"  The maximum sentence for supplying a Class A drug is life imprisonment
Whew.
And who has been put in charge of this extremely delicate investigation, especially with a General Election coming up?  Why, Chief Superintendent Brian Paddick, "enlightened head of policing in Lambeth", who apologised to the Den on Wednesday for being unable to participate in the debate because he "is not allowed to comment on drug policy until the end of the enquiry".
Interestingly, Commander Paddick's "enlightened" reputation is largely based on his instructions to his officers in Lambeth (which includes the Fridge) not to bust for small quantities of pot possession.  We appreciate that Brian Paddick was willing to speak and hope to see him in the future.  Let's ask him then whether he now recommends extending his enlightened policy to other drugs.  :-)


YOU 2353        BREAKING NEWS   - MAD BROTHER VISIONS have agreed to  join the Den Of Enlightenment production team!


The Big Issue magazine/London interviews Fraser about the new club:

SHAMAN WITH NO SHAME
Having created such epic psychedelic adventures as Megatripolis, Parallel YOUniversity and The Warp Experience, the Cecil B De Mille of fluoro-trance offers up more higher-dimensional clubbing at London's Den Of Enlightenment.

IS TIE-DYE THE NEW TARTAN?
Yes. Nothing's more tribal, nor drives the conformists wilder.

WHAT DO YOU DO?
I'm a 'rave theoretician' and, when I feel the scene needs it, I promote new clubs that push the barriers.

OTHER INTERESTING JOBS YOU HAVE DONE?
I edited the Encyclopaedia Psychedelica through the 1980's.  I'm also a private hypnotherapist specialising in future lives.

WHAT'S THE FLAVOUR AT DEN OF ENLIGHTENMENT?
It's the only regular, intelligent, intimate, shamanic club in the planetary capital of rave culture.

WHAT ARE THE CROWD LIKE?
Intelligent, evolutionary, alternative cyber-zippies from 16-80.

ARE YOU MUSICAL AT ALL?
No. I'm primarily a writer-philosopher and political activist.

FUNNIEST CLUB MOMENT?
At Megatripolis once we wrote up an intricate timetable, but when it came to synchronising our watches, not one of us had one!

TOP TUNE OF ALL TIME?
The Shamens' Evolution with Terence McKenna.

INTOXICANT OF CHOICE?
Puff, if we're talking regular bread'n butter.  Ayahuasca if we're talking shamanic medicine.

LAST PIECE OF CLOTHING BOUGHT?
This psychedelic skiing parka. Its acid technicolours are blinding.

WHAT'S YOUR BEST CHAT UP LINE?
Do you come often?

WHAT'S THE LATEST YOU'VE GOT HOME?
I once went to a party in Ibiza and didn't come home till winter.

FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
Ibiza, but I'm more of a traveler than a holidaymaker.  I want to go to Gabon (to try the ultimate high iboga)

FAVOURITE JUNK/HEALTH FOOD?
Cherry Bakewell tarts - slightly toasted?  Healthwise, a big pot of seed, grain and nut porridge that I reheat as my breakfast for five days.

DO YOU HAVE A BELIEF SYSTEM/RELIGION?
I'm into shamanism which is, basically, a set of techniques to communicate directly with God or whatever you want to call it. 

Sat May 5 (monthly), Den Of Enlightenment, Imperial Gardens, 299 Camberwell New Road, SE5.  0207-252-6000 & 813-9685.  10pm - 6am.  £10
ERIK THE VIKING